The Benefits of Teeth Sealants for Children

If your kids are past the baby teeth phase, and you want to take some preventative measures to keep their teeth as decay free as possible, consider teeth sealant. A painless procedure, teeth sealant is a great way to prevent irreversible tooth decay. There have been numerous studies indicating that the use of sealants on the first and second molars prevents tooth decay and cavities. If your child seems to be prone to cavities, has a sweet tooth, or you just want to do everything you can do to avoid their development of tooth decay, teeth sealants may be a smart choice.

The Center for Disease Control offers some great advice on teeth sealant for children. In the same CDC fact sheet on teeth sealant for children, a study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, titled Preventing Dental Caries Through School-Based Sealant Programs Updated Recommendations and Reviews of Evidence, is referred to. The article is the most recent study to recommend that children receive teeth sealant in order to prevent tooth decay.

The results, explained in the abstract of the article, summarize the dentists’ findings. “The evidence supports recommendations to seal sound surfaces and noncavitated lesions, to use visual assessment to detect surface cavitation, to use a toothbrush or handpiece prophylaxis to clean tooth surfaces, and to provide sealants to children even if follow-up cannot be ensured.” So, after reviewing the school-based sealant programs administered throughout the years, and seeing the results, dentists say teeth sealants are useful for arresting tooth decay.

Fortunately, if you do choose to get your kids teeth sealed, it’s an easy and painless procedure. In fact, it only takes a few minutes. After your child’s teeth are cleaned, they’ll “rough up” the teeth a little, and then administer the gel that that will apply the sealant. The roughing up of the teeth helps the sealant adhere to the tooth. After that, the gel’s rinsed off, and the teeth dried. The grooves in the teeth are then filled with dental resin liquid, and a special light is used to harden the resin. The dentist will assure the sealant hasn’t affected your bite, and then you’re done! Having your child’s teeth sealed is painless, fast, and majorly beneficial.

The Easter bunny surely brought your little ones lots of sweet, sugary treats this year. So instead of hoping that brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist twice a year will suffice at keeping tooth decay at bay for your kids, get their teeth sealed. The proof is out there that it’s a wise investment. Getting a cavity filled isn’t nearly as easy and painless. Call our Hillsdale dental team today for any questions or to set an appointment for you or your little ones.